Use of three-dimensional technology in tracheal intubation: an alternative to minimize the contamination risk by COVID-19

Dear Editor,

Because of the spreading of acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) the use of personal protective equipment was adopted by whole-population and, within a short period of time, these medical supplies became scarce and expensive, therefore leading to a severe global crisis, mainly in health services. Based on this scenario, rapid and low-cost methods are required to stop the virus spread.^(1,2)

Three-dimensional printing has enabled the production of equipment such as videolaryngoscope systems in a timely fashion and with low cost.⁽²⁾ Videolaryngoscopy makes tracheal intubation more successful.⁽³⁾ In addition, in COVID-19 cases this equipment may increase the distance between the providers and the patients airways, facilitate the interventions of health care professional, reduce duration of procedure, and minimize the contamination.^(3-5)

In cases of the collapse of the health resources, such in COVID-19 pandemic, the three-dimensional printing technology may be an efficient and low-cost alternative, particularly in countries with limited resources.

REFERENCES

• ¹
  Varela-Aldás JL. Impresión 3D y COVID-19. CienciAmérica. 2020.9(2):51-7.
• ²
  Belhouideg S. Impact of 3D printed medical equipment on the management of the Covid19 pandemic. Int J Health Plann Manage. 2020;35(5):1014-22. Review.
• ³
  Lewis SR, Butler AR, Parker J, Cook TM, Smith AF. Videolaryngoscopy versus direct laryngoscopy for adult patients requiring tracheal intubation. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016;11(11):CD011136.
• ⁴
  Yao W, Wang T, Jiang B, Gao F, Wang L, Zheng H, Xiao W, Yao S, Mei W, Chen X, Luo A, Sun L, Cook T, Behringer E, Huitink JM, Wong DT, Lane-Fall M, McNarry AF, McGuire B, Higgs A, Shah A, Patel A, Zuo M, Ma W, Xue Z, Zhang LM, Li W, Wang Y, Hagberg C, O’Sullivan EP, Fleisher LA, Wei H; collaborators. Emergency tracheal intubation in 202 patients with COVID-19 in Wuhan, China: lessons learnt and international expert recommendations. Br J Anaesth. 2020;125(1):e28-e37.
• ⁵
  Saito T, Taguchi A, Asai T. Videolaryngoscopy for tracheal intubation in patients with COVID19. Br J Anaesth. 2020;125(3):e284-6.

Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  13 Nov 2020
• Date of issue
  2020

History

• Received
  19 Aug 2020
• Accepted
  02 Sept 2020